We carried out a review of the data available to us about Stella Matutina Care Home on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Stella Matutina Care Home, you can give feedback on this service.
We found the following examples of good practice.
Visitors were required to follow best practice guidance and wear appropriate protective personal equipment (PPE). Their visiting policies had been discussed with staff and relatives and agreed. A staff member said, “We follow all the guidance and support from infection control in regard to PPE.”
The management team and staff supported people and their relatives to understand the policies and procedures surrounding protection against COVID 19. Also the isolation processes and how the service could help to keep people safe.
We observed signage around the home to guide staff on the use of PPE. Processes were in place for staff to put on, take off and dispose of PPE when entering and leaving the premises. We observed staff wearing PPE appropriately. Audits were in place and we found them to be up to date. This was to ensure infection prevention procedures were robust and the home was monitored regularly.
Further information is in the detailed findings below.
At the last inspection in February 2015 the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.
This inspection visit took place on 27 September 2017 and was unannounced.
People who lived at Stella Matutina told us staff were all caring, kind and respectful. In addition relatives also commented how caring and kind the registered manager and staff were. One relative said, “Very caring, staff are excellent.”
The registered manager had procedures in place to minimise the potential risk of abuse or unsafe care. Staff spoken with were able to identify different types of abuse and had received training in safeguarding adults.
The management team had in place safe infection control procedures and staff had received infection control training. We observed during the inspection visit staff wore protective clothing such as gloves and aprons when needed. This reduced the risk of cross infection.
We looked around the building and found it had been maintained, was clean and hygienic and a safe place for people to live. We found equipment had been serviced and maintained as required.
Medicines were stored in a clean and secure environment. We observed staff followed correct procedures when they administered medication during the day of our visit. They fully completed associated records so people received their medication on time and correctly. Also medication audits were in place to ensure procedures were monitored and improved where required.
Risk assessments had been developed to minimise the potential risk of harm to people during the delivery of their care. Care records showed they were reviewed and any changes were recorded.
People who lived at the home had their care and support planned with them and where appropriate relatives were consulted. People told us they had been listened to about how their care would be delivered.
Staff had been recruited safely, appropriately trained and supported by the management team. They had skills, knowledge and experience required to support people with their care and social needs.
The registered manager ensured sufficient staffing levels were in place to provide support people required. We observed during the day of the inspection visit staff had time to sit and talk with people in their care and organise activities to keep them entertained and occupied.
People who lived at Stella Matutina told us they had choices of meals and there were always alternatives. In addition people also said the meals were of a good quantity and quality. We confirmed this by our observations at lunchtime. Comments were positive about the quality of food and included, “There’s a brilliant pastry chef.” Also, “Meals are lovely.”
People who lived at the home had access to healthcare professionals and their healthcare needs were met. We saw the management team had responded promptly when people had experienced health problems.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff support them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice.
The service had information with regards to support from external advocates should this be required by people they cared for.
There was a complaints procedure which was made available to people on their admission to the home and their relatives. No complaints had been received since the previous inspection. The process to complain was in a document in the reception area of the home. People we spoke with told us they were happy and had no complaints.
The registered manager used a variety of methods to assess and monitor the quality of the service. These included regular audits and relative surveys to seek their views about the service provided.
We inspected Stella Matutina Care Home on 19 February 2015. This was an unannounced inspection which meant the staff and provider did not know we would be visiting. We last inspected the home on 11 October 2013 and the service was meeting all the regulations assessed.
Stella Matutina is situated on the seaward side of Clifton Drive, near to the landmark of the White Church at Fairhaven, and close to Lytham Square. The property has benefited from a major refurbishment and offers very high standards of accommodation and facilities. In 2014 a new lift with extension was installed to support the home for the future. The service provider is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for 42 older people. Accommodation is offered in single bedrooms, the majority of which have en suite facilities.
In February 2015, we received concerns from a whistle blower alleging that people living at the home were potentially subject to verbal and physical abuse from a staff member. This allegation was investigated under the Local Authorities safe guarding procedures. The Local Authority did not find any information to substantiate the concerns raised by the whistle blower. During our inspection, we also found that there was no evidence to substantiate the allegations made by the whistle blower.
People using the service were protected from abuse because the provider had taken steps to minimise the risk of abuse. Decisions relating to people’s care were taken in consultation with people using the service, their next of kin and other healthcare professionals. This ensured people’s rights were protected.
Staffing levels were determined according to people’s individual needs, and there were enough staff available at the service. We saw that extra staff were provided when people’s needs changed and when they required extra support.
Staff received training that was relevant when supporting the needs of people living at the home. Staff were supported through good links with local community healthcare professionals. This ensured people received effective care and support relating to their healthcare and social care needs.
There was a relaxed atmosphere at the home. People told us they enjoyed living there and their relatives told us that staff were supportive and approachable. People were able to take part in activities that they enjoyed and received support from the staff if required.
Staff members took into consideration the Mental Capacity Act (2005) for people who lacked capacity to make decisions. People’s mental capacity was assessed and there was information available in the service for the staff that helped them support a person who may lack capacity. We saw consistent approaches with staff explaining to people before they undertook any personal care other staff gave the person information about the care and support they were in receipt of.
Where people using the service lacked capacity to understand or make certain decisions relating to their care and treatment, if appropriate, best interest meetings were held which involved family members, independent mental capacity advocates, and social workers.
We looked at the systems relating to medicines management and saw that the records relating to medicines were accurate and up to date. People were supported to receive the correct medicines at the right time. Staff working at the home received appropriate training in medication administration.
The service and staff respected and involved people in the care they received. For example, all the care plans viewed showed the person’s choices and personal preferences. The care planning process had involved the person or their relative when they were written and their views were reflected in the plans. People told us they had input into the menus or activities at the home and we saw that the choice of meals was varied.
Staff were provided with effective support, induction, supervision, appraisal and training. The service had a system to manage and report accidents and incidents. When action plans were needed to monitor people's safety these were produced. The service had a quality assurance and, where appropriate, governance systems in place.
We reviewed three people's care records and found they contained the information staff required to provide care in a way which met people's individual needs. People or a relative acting on their behalf had signed each care plan to confirm agreement with it.
We were shown around the building and checked maintenance records for fire, water, gas and electrical safety. The building had been well maintained and all the required work had been undertaken and documentary evidence retained.
We checked the recruitment records for three members of staff. There was evidence appropriate checks had taken place to ensure people were suitable to work within the home.
People spoken with told us that they were involved in agreeing the support they needed. We reviewed three care files and found that they contained individualised care plans which included the outcomes which people wished to achieve.
We found that people who used the service felt safe and were confident in the abilities of staff to meet their needs. We found that staff had received training on safeguarding vulnerable adults and had access to appropriate policies and procedures.
We spoke with three members of staff who told us they felt well supported and confident in carrying out their responsibilities. We saw evidence that staff were appropriately qualified and provided with training relevant to their role.
We found that there were effective systems in place for the completion and storage of records relating to the care of people who used the service and the maintenance of the premises.
Three people we spoke to told us they were involved in the care planning and review of their care. 'I've always felt involved in reviews or my care planning', "they always make you feel involved in whatever they do for you"
Staff told us they have regular updates about peoples needs and when they may need appointments for things like the doctors for regular check ups, opticians, dentists and chiropody.
The activity coordinator told us they like their job as they get such a good response for most activities and people living there are keen to try most things.
Staff told us they thought the home was very well staff so they have time to spend with people. We saw this reflected on the staffing rota, which demonstrated a good mix of staff on duty at any time of the day and night.
Staff we spoke to said they had worked at the home for a length of time and felt it was well staffed. They told us they liked the fact they have time to spend with individual residents, which helps them to get to know them more.
"I like the dining room, there is always thought given to how the tables look with the glass and cutlery".
"I like the fact I have my breakfast in my room because I don't have to get dressed up and go down to the dining room".
Staff told us they take into account people ability to manage their meals. We witnessed staff respectfully assisting people and this was done by taking into account maintaining their dignity, by way of having other areas where people could be assisted in privacy.
Staff we spoke to told us they have a good relationship with the local doctors and district nurses, and social workers. " We have a really good relationship with all the other services we work with".
Staff we spoke to told us they felt they had the knowledge and skills to follow procedures if they felt there was any evidence of abusive practice taking place. "I'd like to think I would do something about any sort of abusive practice it I thought it was going on".
People we spoke to told us they liked the way they can keep their rooms, and how where possible they have some of their own pieces of furniture or personal effects, which makes them feel more homely.
" I love the way my room is and it reminds me of home with all my photos and ornaments".
The deputy manager told us they recognise they need more storage for medication and this was currently being addressed, so that more storage facilities will be made available.
Some people we spoke to told us they receive their medication on time and it is always administer by the member of staff. "they always make sure we take out tablets they never walk away and leave you with them".
We saw the home has plenty of space for people to move around in. People using wheelchairs were seen to be able to get around with ease.
Rooms we looked at were of various sizes, but all offered people space to bring in their own furniture items, and most we looked at had personal items which made the rooms homely.
The home in all areas have been decorated and furnished to a high standard.
The dining room is large and spacious and also furnished to a high standard.
" We are shown how to use hoists and equipment when we start to work here"
" we cover moving and handling, in induction and training we get when we start work here"
Staff told us they felt they had a good opportunity to train in different areas of care. " we are encouraged to go on courses when they come up".
Staff we spoke to told us they work well as a team. "Some of us have been working together for a long time and we get on well".
Staff we spoke to said they felt there is a good staff team. They said each shift has a good skills mix, and that the communication between them is good. "we are encouraged to share information so that we know if there are any changes in peoples needs".
Staff told us there have been regular meeting recently and they feel they are valued by the management team. "I have been given more responsibility and I find this has motivated me in my role"
"We have a new manager but we have regular supervisions and appraisals".
"We are getting team meetings up and running and we can use this to share our thoughts and ideas".
"If I am not happy about something, I would tell them, I trust something would be done about it"
The staff told us they informally get the views of people by talking to them. " People will always tell you what they think and if they want anything to change".
"I've never had to complain but I know what to do if I'm not happy about something".
" We are aware of how we must maintain records about people and to make sure they are confidential"